Sunday, September 13, 2015

From phys.org, we have this remarkable article posted on the 7th September, Surprising giant ring-like structure in the universe, reporting on a vast "ring-like" pattern of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) measuring some 5 billion light-years across. To put the scale of this structure in perspective, until now it was thought that no large-scale structure could be maintained that measured more than 1.2 billion light-years in extent. To offer a cosmic yardstick of its breadth, one would need 35,000 Milky Way galaxies to span this structure.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's center.

Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure, the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.

The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal star-forming activity.

Whatever caused this structure, or -- as the astronomers infer, pattern -- it is manifestly not a ring, but qute obviously a spiral. A very clear and neatly-shaped spiral following the natural order of the Fibonacci sequence, which we wrote about in relation to the Ionic order some time ago.

The Fibonacci sequence (0; 0+1=1; 1+1=2; 1+2=3; 2+3=5; 3+5=8; 5+8=13...) is the mathematical progression underlying natural growth and the spiral form is the physical and geometric expression of that growth, so to see an unrecognized spiral in the largest-known and (heretofore-believed impossible) structure in the universe is, simply put, staggering. Obviously, it indicates natural order on a truly cosmic scale that we have only just stumbled across.

And again, it is a spiral form that has been discovered, not a ring. With all its profound implications.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

The newly-found
ring-shaped feature is large enough to contradict the cosmological
principle (CP), which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years
for the largest structures. The researchers assume that the ring could
be a projection of a spheroidal structure and we see it nearly face-on
because of the small variations of GRB distances around the object's
center.
Although they claim to have found evidence for a regular structure,
the apparent shape of this ring is based only on a visual impression.
The astronomers conclude that the ring is probably not a real
physical structure. But further studies are needed to reveal whether or
not the structure could have been produced by a low-frequency spatial
harmonic of the large-scale matter density distribution or of universal
star-forming activity.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Three hundred years ago and a day, Louis XIV died but five days
before his 77th birthday. He had reigned for 72 years and 110 days, the longest
of any monarch since the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses the Second, who died aged
ninety in 1213 BC.

Like Ramesses, Louis was named "the Great," and
not to be outdone, Voltaire named a century after him, "le siècle de Louis
le Grand," the century of Louis the Great. The Durants, Will and Ariel, those Eisenhower-era icons of
hardcover, multi-volume world history, did Voltaire one better and named an age
after him, "the Age of Louis XIV." He was also christened
Louis-Dieudonné (Louis, Miracle of God) for the very real wonder of being the issue
of Louis XIII, sickly and enfeebled, who died when Louis was a small child. Fatherless, he was formed by the wily Italian cleric, Cardinal Mazarin, Louis XIII's first
minister, reputed lover of Anne of Austria, and regent and mentor to the young
monarch. He was also named le Roi Soleil, the Sun King, for his unprecedented
patronage of the arts and his willful conflation of his own person with the sun
god Apollo.

He defined absolutism, raised the vast palace at Versailles
and many others besides, stumbled by revoking the Edict of Nantes, waged a
succession of half-remembered Continental wars that earned him few friends but
a good deal of territory and prestige, and perfected both state bureaucracy and
state propaganda, and in so doing became the radiant figurehead for the state
and the kingdom of France, and in turn became the model for and envy of all
other rulers of Europe and more profoundly, the prototype of the ruler in the
modern age.

His taste in all things was slavishly copied, as were his
pretensions. He also bankrupted France with his endless wars and inveterate
building, and so ultimately set the stage for the French Revolution.

He notably loved women, flattery, ballet, hunting, building,
military sieges, his own reputation, children, flowers, France and God, though
he came late to the last of that randomly ordered list. Mazarin formed his
political mind and fundamentally he was more clever than smart; he was also one of the most civilized personages ever to live, which gives a perhaps-misplaced sheen of great intelligence through perfected manners. He knew how to delegate and was a fair though not exceptional judge of character and ability, and he kept a vast
number of secrets and never committed to anything when directly asked, always
replying, "On verra," One will see.

Having outlived most of his own family and all but one of
his direct heirs, he died a horrible death of gangrene that began in one leg
and gradually consumed him over a period of weeks. He also died as he had
lived, without complaint, with exceptional good humor and exquisite
consideration for those about him, and with great dignity.

When the future Louis XV was brought to him on his deathbed,
he advised the child, "Do not follow the bad example which I have set you;
I have often gone to war too lightly and sustained it for vanity. Do not
imitate me in this, but be a peaceful prince, and strive for the
betterment of your people."

Eminently
quotable, even to his last words, all those attending him agree that those
words were "Je m'en vais, mais l'État demeurera
toujours." ("I depart, but the state will endure.")